Maralou Gray (born July 6, 1931) is an American film, television, and theater actress, and an operatic lyric coloratura soprano singer, active from the late 1930s through the 1960s.
[2] In the summer of 1948, Maralou and family moved to Beverly Hills, after purchasing the historic Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller/Lupe Velez estate, "Villa Fontanas", on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Lomitas.
[3] She entered MGM Studio, studied voice with the esteemed "Vocal Coach to the Stars", Arthur "Rosie" Rosenblum, followed by obtaining the official sponsorship of hit song composer, Jimmy McHugh, which resulted in many notable musical appearances.
Port, handling the intros for future Chief Justice Earl Warren (Then – Governor of California), ceremonies, speeches to welcome the first large liners to dock, plus many pictures for the press.
[10] During the only year that the New York Yankees trained near Los Angeles, she was tagged to escort team members Rizzuto, DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, etc., for sightseeing around town and relaxation at her home.
In 1950, the casting director at Hal Roach Studios called Gray for a possible role in one of the first filmed television series, The Stu Erwin Show - Trouble With Father.
With sponsorship by Rod Serling and Gene Barry, she became a long-time member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as a Blue Ribbon Emmy Panel Judge over the years.
In the interim, her MCA music agents kept her busy performing at local supper clubs and hotels in Oregon and Washington, where she accompanied herself on the piano for a song or two as part of the show.
[15] As a result of actor Errol Flynn's interest in hiring Gray for one of his projects, The White Witch of Rose Hall, he became instrumental in arranging a small role for her in his Technicolor film, Against All Flags (1952).
[18] Following through on their words, she was cast in Columbia's swashbuckling color film, Pirates of Tripoli (1954), as the tempestuous pirate girlfriend of leading man Paul Henreid,[19] then enacted Jessie Babcock's courageous life in Death Valley Days - Rough and Ready (1957), was the brash dance hall hostess in Seven Ways to Sundown (1960) with Audie Murphy, and the female "crusader" lead in cult favorite Secret File Hollywood (1962)[citation needed].
In 1964, legendary drama coach Stella Adler invited Gray to join her exclusive professional workshop for a season, sparking renewed enthusiasm.
While working on the initial episode of The Greatest Show on Earth |date=Desilu's new TV series, Gray officially met actor Jack Palance.
Gray hosted a star-studded UNICEF benefit;[24] celebrities such as Quincy Jones piloted their events, along with other major music, movie, and sports stars.
[25] Chris Evert Lloyd was honored there at the inaugural televised "Woman of the Year Hall of Fame" by Peggy Fleming and Dorothy Hamill [citation needed].